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(COPYRIGHT, 1913, 
BY 
GEORGE KELLER Belong.) 
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) 



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CI.A33055 


9 


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CONTENTS 

My Philosophy of Life 

PRELUDE 
Lure of the Stars 

THE NATAL CORD 



The Natal Cord 


9 


Blest Nativity 


14 


Lament For My Alma Mater 


15 


The City of Light 


16 


Over the Sea 


16 


The Lark's Song — The Joy of Graduation 


17 


GRADUATION CONGRATULATIONS 




QUADRANTS 




Graduation Glory 


19 


Dawn of Day 


19 


Wealth on the Waves 


19 


True and Tried 


19 


Tolls Triumphant 


19 


The Glowing Goal 


20 


Scent of Sanctity 


20 


Treasures Thine 


20 


Seed in the Soil 


20 


Dazzling Dew 


20 


Couplets 


21 


Many Happy Returns — Birthday Greetings 


21 


EPIGRAMS 




Woman's Way 


22 


Hiss! Bully, Hiss! 


22 


Woman 


22 


Man 


22 



CONTENTS 



MISCELLANEOUS 



The Ice Cream Cow 25 

The Prodigal Eeclaimed 23 

Where the Sunshine Lingers Long 24 

A. Toast — Come, Let Us Brighten the Day 24 

ToMy Love— A Toast ;. "^ 25 

Humility and the Nudity of Art 25 

Humiliated — By Idealistic or Symbolic Art 26 

Angered — By Realistic or Mirrored Art 26 

Verses Debut 26 

Launching Lay 26 

When the" World Was Wild 28 



MY PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE. 



MY PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE. 

Man makes for fact — self-evident reality. 
Fact makes for knozvledge- — the apprehension of reality. 
Knowledge makes for sense — the appreciation of reality. 
Sense makes for truth — the comprehension of reality. 
Truth makes for justice — the apportionment of reality. 
Justice makes for responsibility — the application of reality. 
Responsibility makes for liberty — the appropriation of reality. 

Moreover 
Liberty is worth while only as there is responsibility. 
Responsibility is worth while only as there is justice. 
Justice is worth while only as there is truth. 
Truth is worth while only as there is sense. 
Sense is worth while only as there is knowledge. 
Knowledge is worth while only as there is fact. 
Fact is worth while only as there is man. 

Fiirthernwre 
1 have faith that God dominates the destiny of all. 
1 have hope that God hath infinite resources and is gracious. 
] have love to share God's blessings with every one who will. 

The above basic principles of my philosophy and my faith 
(which is the outgrowth of philosophy) are here given to satisfy 
those who want to know my politics and my religion. I have 
little sympathv with factional or sectarian strife. 

r.F.ORGF. KELLER DeLONG. 



PRELUDE. 



LURE OF THE STARS. 

How often have I gazed into the night; 
Yea braced mine arms desiring to embrace 
The glow of promise as the stars would grace 

My hopeful heart with fathomless delight. 

■'Fear you not darkness child, know you not fright 

Nor dread the veil of gloom— so blithe to face 
The deep abyss where mysteries efface 
The shadows past, of day, with gruesome blight?" 

"The night is dark but lo, the stars, the stars ! 
The shadows of the day — despairing ghosts — 
Have vanished while the stars still brightly shine. 

Thus, beckoned from on high, vain fear least mars 
The calling, through the night, of heavenly hosts 
That bid me ever make their height all mine." 



THE NATAL CORD. 



THE NATAL CORD. 

To the wild of western frontier 

Pushed ambitious pioneers : 
I'^ertile soil there promised bountier — 

What, though fiercer too the fears ? 

Strove a colony together — 

Cleared the brush and felled the trees: 
Waving wheat soon vied with heather 

Yielding- fully its increase. 

And of logs was built a village: 
Humble homes, but deemed secure. 

Here no robbers seek to pillage 
Such as other lands endure. 

l'"or their neighbors were the Indians, 
And these never barred their door; 

But they heeded not the 'rind-yanks' 
Which they must so soon deplore. 

Ah! the 'rind-yank' — ruthless Yankee — 

Coming, not in search of home; 
Hut to cheat the Indians, then flee — 
Leave his dues the settler's doom. 

And the settlers, unsuspecting", — 
Born of natal brother love, — 

Trust a rind-yank — not electing 
That 'tis need one first to prove. 

Now a 'rind-yank' came — unheeded 
Shelter with the settlers found, — 

To the wild lie then proceeded, 
Sought the Indians to confound. 

\\ hen the Indians he had cheated — - 
Their opinions had misled, — 

Though their vengeance he had heated, — 
To the village back he fled. 

IVom the village he then ventured — ■ 
Whither, no one ever knows. 

Would he care if they were censured? 
Cared he if they sui^ered woes? 

9 



10 THE NATAL CORD. 

From the wild the Indians followed — 
Came within the settlers' town 

As their warriors wierdly hollered 
While their old men wore a frown. 

From the settlers they demanded 

To deliver tip the thief ; 
"The deceiver must be handed 

Over to our honest chief." 

Then the settlers vainly pleaded — 
Swore they knew not where he went; 

And the old men they entreated 
To disclose what caused this rent. 

Then an aged Indian answered — 
Gravely, shocking words he spoke : 

"To our Indian camp he transferred 
Poisons such as death provoke. 

"Much fire-water he had brought us 
To confuse our warriors bold; 

This, arid more, 'tis what has wrought us 
Full of wrath we can't withhold.. 

"Where the Serpent Mound shows plainly 
Whither warriors journey forth, 

There the squaws are weeping vainly 
While the breeze is speeding north : 

"Weeping o'er the vacant snovvshoe; 

Weeping o'er the bow unstrung. 
If you doubt, we fain would show you 

How our bond of peace is sprung." 

Then the spokesman of the settlers 
Strove to thus their wrath appease : 

"If there is a ruthless meddler 
Who disturbs the Indians' peace 

"We are willing him to punish 
As your wise chief well decrees; 

Thus all settlers to admonish 
Honestly to keep the peace. 

"Let as many as have seen him. 
Search our settlement quite o'er. 

We have surely never been in 
Such a trouble e'er before." 



THE NATAL CORD. 

But the rind-yank now had vanished 

Far bej'ond the danger zone. 
Fierce fire-water peace had banished 

Now must massacre atone. 

So the warriors shrieked most wierdly 
As their warwhoop rent the air. 

Where will soon their most endeared be? 
Every soul was in despair. 

But the warriors all departed 

And the settlers felt relieved, 
Till the wail of mothers started 

When they found themselves bereaved. 

There were many children missing: 
Then the young men volunteered 

To pursue^not least then guessing 
How the Indians little feared. 

For the Indians them eluded 

And were soon beyond their reach : 

Thus their vengeance was concluded — 
They'd perforce the settlers teach. 

II. 
Now these children were adopted 

To be Indians like the rest : 
But their mothers — had they dropped dead, 

Would have deemed it far more blest. 

They would then think of the angels 
That were winging round the throne. 

Now their lot was only anguish 
With but faint hope to atone. 

Out of anguish oft they'd borrow — 
Dreading what might be their end. 

Out of anguish of their sorrow 

Would their peals of prayer ascend : 

Rachel for her children weeping, 
Yet they were not to be found. 

Anguish, bitter anguish, wreaking — 
Haunted by a Serpent Mound. 

in. 

The militia of the nation 

Long had lost the only clue 
When some Indian provocation 

Stirred up other trouble too. 



11 



12 THE NATAL CORD. 

Now the Indian tribes were captured, 

And deported ev'ry one ; 
While another hope enraptured 

Many hearts when this was done : 

An appealing prayer was offered 

Both to heaven and to the world — 

Also willing aid was proffered 
That the truth might be unfurled. 

"Many white-mans' children, painted, 
Are among that savage hord. 

God, and Gov'nor, truth is tainted 
If ye seek not to assort." 

Many mothers volunteering 
To apply the scrubbing brush 

Caused the governor's own appearing. 
These anxieties to hush. 

And each Indian got a cleaning 
As the circumstance behooved ; 

Thus from out their number gleaning 
Many that the ' nation's proved. 

But they all were so appended — 
Mothers no more recognized : 

Their enraptured hope was ended 
Soon as e'er they scrutinized. 

Came a mother, far, far distant — 
Long she'd mourned her loved ones ; 

Now she scrutinized the list, and 

Found nor daughter's like, nor son's. 

All the pent up hope she'd cherished 
Burst with an hysteric spell : 

All the joy she'd nursed, now perished — 
Sore to hopeless grief she fell. 

IV. 

Now the gov'nor, as a brother 
Sympathy would fain impart, 

Came and touched this grief crazed mother : 
"Mother, come, pour out your heart, 

"Come and tell me how you nursed them 

By what names you fondly called ; 
By what sentiments you versed them ; 
. E'en the threats that most appalled. 



THE NATAL CORD. 

"See my hair to gray is turning, 

Yet I still remember well 
Mother's songs in mem'ry burning; 

Come let's try it — who can tell?" 

"Ah, we had the Indians friendship 

Till once we a trader lodged; 
But away at night he'd then slip — 

Stealthily detection dodged. 

"When the sun rOse in the morning- 
Came a warrior to our house. 

Boldly he displayed a warning 
Which grave fear in us did rouse. 

"On this morning all then gathered 

In assembly to account 
Why this- warrior thus had scattered 

Leaves as though insults to flaunt. 

"Then an old man spoke most, gravely 
Filling all our hearts with dread : 

Then we prayed, and hoped most bravely 
Till our anxious fears were fled. 

"'Twas the last my fated lost ones 
Heard me sing to hush their fear 

When I lulled my dearly loved ones 
Never more my voice to hear : 

"On a bed of leaves I'd laid them, 
Where they slept in blessed peace; 

There the Indians stole, to trade them — 
Since that time I've known no peace : 

"They were searching for the trader 

Who, they claimed, had done grave wrong. 

Failing with the shrewd invader — 
Then they took my babes along. 

"There before mine eyes they took them, 
And I fell within a swoon. 
Think not that I least forsook them — • 
All their work was done so soon. 

"Ere the warning could be sounded — 

Though all odds were 'gainst the town- 
Through the forest they had bounded : 

Like a vi:lture thev were flown. 



13 



14 THE NATAL CORD. 

"I had trusted God's great mercies; 

I have hoped in vain so long 
Yet once more I'll sing the verses 

Of their fondest nursing song. 

SONG. 

"Hush my darling, sweetly slumber. 

Nestle in thy downy bed; 
Guarding angels without number 

Softly round thy trundle tread. 

Though the storm be howling wierdly; 

Though the clouds be dark and drear — 
Jesus bideth ever near thee — 

Sleep, and dream thou not of fear." 

Full of pathos— most appealing — 
Forth her mother love did pour. 

Full the natal cord revealing. 

"Mother" — She'd been heard before. 

From among the ranks ran forward 
With their arms outstretched tovi^ards her- 

Son and daughter no more cowered 
Once the bosom chord did stir. 

April 8, 1907. 

BLEST NATIVITY. 

Nor cattle stall nor manger low 
Could desecrate the living soul — 

Oh blest nativity. 
Nor humble birth nor poor estate 

Could wrest God's entity. 

Nor star more bright, nor hosts more fair 
Could celebrate to render thus 

Secure maternity 
And unto man, God's erring child. 

Insure Efernity. 

Midst clash of swords of waring knights. 
Whom avarice and greed must goad 

To dire adversity, 
The world is wrenched with deeds of gore 

Hell fire asperity. 



BLEST NATIVITY. 

Midst toppling thrones of famished realms 
Above the trumpet's vain appeal 

Rings out a melody; 
A host of heavenly choirs sing 

About tranquility : 

"For unto you this day is born, 
Midst cattle in a manger low, 

In all humility, 
The Prince of Peace to rescuse, from 

The fall, humanity." 

And thus it is the ages down 
That in the many humble poor 

God vests prosperity; 
For in the humble of the world 

There rests posterity. 



LAMENT FOR MY ALMA MATER. 

Once, "Woodman spare that tree" — the poet wrote. 
And with his tears did melt the woodman's heart : 

Now to my Alma Mater I devote 

My flowing tears which crystalize to art. 

Beneath the spreading tree the poet played. 
Thus to his heart became the spot endeared : 

Within thy walls infinites have swayed 
Which to the land a zealous poet reared. 

Beneath those leaves, which fluttered in the breeze, 
Long after many tourists sought the spot : 

The thought, to crystal art, my tears does freeze. 
For when they fain would seek thee, thou art not. 

Though thou must fall, since progress so demands. 
And I must miss thee through each after year. 

Though I must weep yet shall my busy hands 
Upon thy grave a monument uprear. 

Not like the pyramids of Egypt's plains; 

Not like the marble marks of mortal's grave — 
But an immortal dome wrought with my pains 

That I, from doomed oblivion, thee might save. 

Written March 14, 1905, on hearing that the Long Swamp Central School build- 
ing was to be tor?i down ai the end of the 1904-1905 term. 



15 



16 



THE NATAL CORD. 

THE CITY OF LIGHT. 

Borne on the pinions ambition unfolds — 
Born of that glow which forever upholds, 

Dazzling and shining, the arch ever bright. 
Bidding one enter the City of Light. 

Holding aloof with a beautiful charm; 

Battling the odds through the storm and the calm 

Onward and upward the glorious flight 

Hoping to enter the City of Light. 

Glorious only, while hope does assay — 
Gracing ones pinions to bear through the fray, 

Even ignoring the pains of ones plight 

Striving to enter the City of Light. 

Way in the distance the city is seen. 
Oh for that grace v/hich is ever serene. 

Struggling and striving with uttermost might — 
Bravely approaching the City of Light. 

Nothing must daunt one nor ever affright, 
If one would win then one bravely must fight 
On through the darkness the black of the night 
Led by the glow of the City of Light. 



OVER THE SEA. 

Onward and forward and toward the sea. 
Enthralled by strange voices, thus guided are we : 
Roaring, the breakers roll over the shoals — 
The billows' weird murmur entices our souls. 

Tossed on the billows is many a craft 
Entreating the breezes swift onward to waft 

Ships that are laden with treasures most rare. 

Most blessed the pilot whose ship the waves spare. 

Beacons that gleam from celestial heights 

Entail the safe courses ambition incites. 
Beacons revealing the dangerous rock 
Flash curses on pilots who foolishly mock. 



OVER THE SEA. 17 

Mists may enwrip us in gruesomest plight, 

Still hopefully groping our course through the night. 
Onward we venture, since quit means defeat 
And that we should ne'er, while alive, dare to greet. 

Better to rock on the billows that surge 

Than stranded on shoals from which place naught may urge, 

Better to struggle 'gainst gruesomest odds 

Than idly to wait on the luck of the gods. 

Onward and forward and over the sea 

To havens where treasures our glory shall be. 

Tempests defying we break through the wave 

Our efforts displaying our treasure to save. 

THE LARK'S SONG-THE JOY OF GRADUATION. 

The dawn ! the dawn ! the breaking dawn ! 

The morning stars are paling: 
Oh happy youth, with joy to grasp 

The moment most availing. 

The height! the height! the luring height! 

The mountain brow is golden — 
The tempting steep to dare brave youth, 

With vigor to embolden. 

The dew ! the dew ! the sparkling dew ! 

Kissed by the early sunbeams : 
The splendor pure of early morn — 

The beads where moths have spun dreams. 

The sea! the sea! the troubled sea! 

The surging waves are raging 
And only to the daring brave 

Its murmur is engaging. 

A sail! a sail! a wide spread sail! 

Is wafted on the ocean — 
Up shooting like an altar's flame 

Of brave marines' devotion. 

A bell! a bell! a storm tossed bell! 

Is wierdly tolling warning: 
'Tis sweeter to the pilot's ears 

Than mj'stic mermaids' mourning. 



18 THE NATAL CORD. 

The shore! the shore! the distant shore I 
The goal's inviting haven; 

But none may hope to enter in 
Whose will and dare cry craven. 

Sail on! sail on! oh youth sail on! 

Doubt not the glowing vision, 
For doom is sealed upon the brow 

That spurns a fond ambition.. 



GRADUATION CONGRATULATIONS— QUADRANTS 



GRADUATION GLORY 

Now the zephyrs kiss the clover 
And the clover cleaves the dew 

While the dew has cleft the sunbeams, 
But the sunbeams smile on you. 

DAWN OF DAY. 

Now the lark salutes the morning 
While the morning hails the dawn 

And the dawn proclaims a triumph — 
Lo, the triumph is thine own. 

WEALTH ON THE WAVES. 

Now the breeze a sail is wafting; 

Surging waves a ship breaks through, 
While the ocean heaves in splendor 

Lo ! the ship sails unto you. 

TRUE AND TRIED. 

Now the mountain hails thy valor : 
Thou wert called, nor durst to weep, 

To acquit thyself most manly — 
Challenged by the tempting steep. 

TOLLS TRIUMPHANT. 

Now the bells ring out a triumph, 
Gentle breezes waft their toll, 

And the toll proclaims laudation 
\\'hile laudation hails thy role. 



20 GRADUATION CONGRATULATIONS. 

THE GLOWING GOAL. 

Now the goal in glowing splendor 
Spurs the vigor of the knight 

And the vigor urges daring 

While the daring proves thy might. 



SCENT OF SANCTITY. 

Now the n3'mphs have touched the rosebud 
And her glory forthwith spread : 

Lo ! the air is filled with incense 
By the fragrance she has shed. 



TREASURES THINE. 

All the faded stars are blended 

To a firmament of blue 
While the very richest treasures 

Now adorn the world for you. 



SEED IN THE SOIL. 

Now a root has cleft the soil 
For a germ has burst its shell, 

Spurning not the fruitful toil. 

Thou hast more achieved and well. 



c^5s::?§fc=. 



DAZZLING DEW. 

Now the daisy cleaves the dew 
And the dew has cleft the beams. 

As thou cleavest knowledge new 
And art dazzling as beseems. 



COUPLETS. ^^ 



COUPLETS. 



My sincere congratulation 
In thy happy graduation. 

May it be thy happy fate 
Further still to graduate. 



Speed thee well nor hesitate 
Further still to graduate. 



c^^^afca 



MANY HAPPY RETURNS— Birthday Greeting. 

Happy day with naught to spurn 
May it oft to thee return. 

Now another year is done, 
Now another is begun, 
Day of all the days that flee 
May it oft return to thee. 



On this birthday my salute 
Fain would fear and dread refute 
So that hope and love may bless 
All thy days with happiness. 



EPIGRAMS. 



Woman's Way. 

Do as you please about it, dear, 
'Tis not for me to scold you ; 

But surely you will lose, I fear, 
And mind that I have fold voii\. 



Hi'ssf Bully, Hissr 

I only wish I were a dog" 
A lady's lap to hold me 

Yet with my wife in dialogue 
A cur she dared to scold me. 



Woman. . 

She dances, laughs and sings with glee- 
Her heart feigns at rejoicing : 

Her thus, externally, we see — 
Ah woe, hut for her poising. 



Man. 

He struts about and cracks his wit 

To get the ladies smiling 
And make them think that he is ilt : 

A monster at beguiling. 



THK ICE CREAM COW. 

THE ICE CREAM COW. 

To the tune of Tramp, Tramp, Tramp. 
Happ3' are the bojs and girls sipping at an ice cream cone 
Smiling while the toothsome soothing ice cream cheers. 
And in visions bright and clear unto them this scene is shown 
As the cow that gives the ice cream there appears. 

Clwr. 

Grazing, grazing in the meadow, gath'ring cream upon the lay 

Oh the busy bovine boss 

Of her time she knows no loss 
For she's chewing, chewing, chewing all the day. 

Tn the meadow by the brook and the pasture of the hills 
Or submitting humbly chained within her stall 
While the babbling of the brook or the rippling of the rill 
Is the song to which attunes her lowing bawl. 



THE PRODIGAL RECLAIMED. 

A maiden fair once loved a vagabond, 

She knew his sins, yet this could not astound. 

She hoped, she pled, she strove him to reclaim; 

And he, in anguish, often would exclaim : 

Chor. 
It breaks my heart to have you love me so — 
Your fond caresses fill my heart with woe ; 

For I deserve not love but bitter hate. 

I'm done — I know your love has come too late. 

He drank, he gambled — lived a life all vain. 

Despite his sins her love did never wane. 
When all was spent, and he was on the bum. 
She took him in — when from his lips would come ; 

She chided not his sins with idle threat. 

She fawned, caressed — in ways such as beget 

A feeling strange, unmanning any man. 

She triumphed yet — and then his praises ran : 

Chor. 

It cheers my heart to have you love me so. 

Your fond caress is heaven right here below. 
By grace divine I yet shall compensate, 
For after all your love was not too late. 



23 



24 



WHERE THE SUNSHINE LINGERS LONG. 

WHERE THE SUNSHINE LINGERS LONG. 

My life was void and useless so that living was a bore • 
I knew nor joy nor sorrow had anything in store, 

Till gloom encircled so around me 

I wished that life had never found me. 

Till gloom encircled so around 

I wished that life had me not found. 

Chor. 
I cannot love a girl, but if there's sunshine in her hair — 
That makes my heart to leap so strange, which changes the affair 

With whom the sunlight lingers longest 

For that one fair my love is strongest. 

With whom the sunlight lingers long 

For that one fair my love is strong. 

One day I wandered idly and I met a maiden fair — 
My indolent and gloomy mood took on another air r 

My heart would fain impart caresses 

Since she had sunlight in her tresses. 

My heart would, fain impart some care 

Since she had sunlight in her hair. 

At once I was a gentleman and urged myself about ; 

And now I am the happiest — my life is changed throughout. 

Though Sun and Moon and Stars be hidden 

For me there's sunshine when 'tis bidden. 

Though Sun and Moon and Stars may hide 

For me the sunlight does abide. 



A TOAST— Come, Let Us Brighten the Day. 

Weep if you must over sorrow. 

But laugh while you may in your joy. 

Grief you may wantonly borrow, 
But pleasures, alas, are so coy. 

Sad is the fate of the sighing, 
How sweet is the lot of the gay, 
' Drear are the hearts that are crying : 
Then come let us brighten the day. 



TO MY LOVE. 25 

TO MY LOVE— A Toast. 

Dearest Only — 
Hovering ever in my dreams, 
Constantlv haunting me in my waking, 
Stirring my heart into convulsions, 
And setting my jaws grinding: 

My teeth are worn with gnashing — 

My head is heavy 

And my heart is full. 

If my love were water then were my heart 
the source of a mighty river : 
If thou were a valley, thou wert a sweeping flood; 
If thou were a plain, thou wert a raging sea; 
If thou were a mountain, thou wert a roaring cataract; 
If thou were a cliff thou wert a tumbling falls 
All this thou wert if I might cover thee. 
Ever hovering sublimity : 

If thou wert 'IF', but 'IF' is void. 

Thou art alone : 

But what am I. 
Lo, thou art high — yet shall I cover thee. 
Yea thou art high, and I am at thy feet. 
High lifts thy head above perpetual freezing altitudes. 
Low lies my heart — a constant burning 
Like the depth of a boiling geyser. 

Above the clouds, far famed, thou mayest hold aloof 
Yet shall my love ascend still higher 

And on thee descend — perpetual snow, 

And all the world shall know 
When thou, most envied, shalt be hailed afar — 
Hence and immortally My Love — 

The inspiration of my every theme. 



HUMILITY AND THE NUDITY OF ART. 

Gazing in wonderment upon the nude statues in an art gal- 
lery, seeing them for the first time, the blush of shame permeated 
through my sad humiliated sense. 

There they stood with every gesture, every feature and every 
pose, a symbol in rythmic accord revealing, in concrete mould, 
the power and purpose of harmony divine. 



"^ HUMILITY AND THE NUDITY OF ART. 



Humiliated by virtue of their perfect form, convicting me 
of my depraved deformities, and hence my shame. Humiliated 
indeed, but outraged never. 

'Tis well to be humiliated so, and thus evoke to pennance, 
vain and haughty pride; and with an humble firm resolve to seek 
expatriation by atonement due. 

HUMILIATED— By Idealistic or Symbolic Art. 

I gazed at art in bold array 

Whose nudity then shamed me: 
I felt to shun the light of daj^ — 

There perfect form defamed vie. 

. ANGERED— By Realistic or Mirrored Art. 

I gazed into a crystal pool 

And drew away with horror : 
I felt to hang the "virgin fool" 

Whose art my fault must borrow. 



VERSES DEBUT. 

The day of my debut, 

The launching of my ship, — • 
The floating of Songs new. 

With savor for each lip — - 
Recalls to me the day 

When to a Battle Ship 
I wrote a Launching Lay 

Ere down the stocks sh'd slip. 



LAUNCHING LAY. 

To the Battle Ship Louisiana, vvritten August 20th, 1904. Ship 
launched August 27th, 1904. 

Flee to thy destiny, 

Break through the waves. 
Meet' each emergency 

With grace that saves. 



LAUNCHING LAV. 27 

Save from humility, 

Save from disgrace; 
Save our integrity — 

Victor always. 

If nations greedily 

Spurn our essay, 
With all fidelity 

Plunge in the fray. 

Rod of our chastity 

Ply not in vain; — 
Neath thy grave battery 

Peace ever Reign. 

Reigns then tranquility 

Neath our ensign, 
Guard e'er our liberty 

Gainst the malign. 



All the year of 1504 I worked on Ihe Battle Ship Louisana; helped to wedge * 
herofifthestocksat the launching, and when afloat, I helped to hang her ar- 
mor. 

This poem, to the Battle Ship Louisana is appropriate here in that it is the 
poetry of the launching of my own Ship or Song. 



WHEN THE WORLD WAS WILD. 

WHEN THE WORLD WAS WILD. 

When all the world was yet a Wilderness and beasts reign- 
ed Supreme, the Fox tried to cheat the Lion out of his crown. 
Therefore the Fox, who was very cunning, conspired with the 
Jackals, who were very fleet, to' destroy the Lion. 

One ■ night as the Lion went about his domain and strode 
along in dignified disdain of fear, alert and bold — confidently 
anticipating the usual tribute of quarry whch the Jackals were 
want to bring unto his majesty, (though chafing under his sover- 
eignty by holding aloof whenever he deigned to accept what 
the Jackals dreaded to deny his wants)— he came upon a strange 
and disgusting scene. The Fox, a brute of superior rank among 
the beasts, was debasing himself ignominiously by^ mingling 
with a pack of Jackals as if solicitous of their approbation. Of 
this the Lion took the merest notice and turned away in utter 
disgust. 

If the Lion had stopped to watch and listen, which was 
however beneath his dignity, he would have detected a con- 
spiracy which was contrived against his own majestic sover- 
eignty. The Lion, however, unconscious of danger, devoid of 
dread or suspicion and too proud to recognize a repugnant 
situation, ignored the carousal of the Jackals with the Fox and 
continued his survey in an opposite direction. 

The Fox, sly and cunning as he was, was so elated over • 
his success in bringing so many Jackals under his influence on 
this occasion that he was too absorbed in his plot to heed the 
Lion as his majesty passed by. The Jackals also took no no- 
tice and howled exultantly — probably because they were fleet 
However, when the Fox gave a yelp, then the Jackals slunk 
silently around him in their submission to his call, for atten- 
tion. 

Tlie Fox now sat upon his haunches, hautily assuming a 
presumptious attitude as he addressed the Jackals : "Oh you 
fleetfooted Jackals give ear unto wise words — the day has come 
to enthrone among beasts a new king so that the shrewdest 
beast may be duly respected by all other beasts. I am the king 
and you shall be my princes if j'ou prove worthy. There shall 
be a great coronation and you all shall be honored and receive 
dominion of the Hunting Grounds. To establish my sovereigTi- 
ty there shall be a sacrifice ; not upon a raised altar, but in the 
wierdest pit; not with shedding of blood and consuming flame, 
but by humiliation and starvation — to appease the fiercest of 
the gods, so that I, the king, and you, the princes, might be 
feared by all the beasts of the Wilderness 



WHEN THE WORLD WAS ^VILD. 

"Listen, oh you Jackals, on yonder Plain is grewsome Pit — 
whatsoever beast falls therein has neither water to drink nor 
meat to eat, not even a bone to gnaw. Let us bribe the Spiders 
of the Wilderness with Flies so that they spin Cobwebs over 
the opening of the Pit, and when the Cobwebs have caught the 
dead Leaves so that the face of the ,Pit is hidden then we shall 
entice the Lion into the Pit and sacrifice him at the coronation 
feast. When the Lion is pitted then shall all of you have your do- 
minion assigned, and the coronation celebration begins, to last 
till the Lion perishes ; then shall all the beasts of the Wilderness 
respect our reign." 

The Fox, presuming to have persuaded the Jackals, auspi- 
ciously regarded his audience; then a querulous young Jackal 
poised on his haunches, his back curved, his head hanging low 
while his bushy tail curled upwards so that he looked like an 
interrogation as he responded to the speech of the Fox, saying : 
"Oh cunning Fox, your shrewdness fails you never ; but how 
shall we catch the Flies to bribe the Spiders, and how shall we 
induce the spiders to spin their Web over the opening of the Pit, 
and how shall we compel the Lion to walk on the leafstrewn 
trap even if we can cover the Pit?" When all this dawned up- 
on the rest of the Jackals, they could see only disappointment in 
the plan the Fox had made, and they all in one body stood on 
their haunches, imitating the daring young Jackal who had 
challenged the wisdom of the Fox. 

The Fox was nothing daunted, but rather encouraged, and 
chuckled over the enthusiasm which this climax, which he had 
attained so deftly, had aroused ; then his eloquence waxed warm 
as he appealed to their vanities, saying : "Oh j^ou Jackals, fleet 
footed and keen of scent, you whom I have chosen to reign with 
me in my kingdom which I shall surely establish, be not con- 
fused about the. details of my procedure, which I shall not con- 
fide to you until you are pledged by a terrible oath not to betray 
my cause. I have planned for you principalities, if you swear 
allegiance to me this day; therefore, let every Jackal, who de- 
sires to be a prince come forward and lick my feet as a token of 
allegiance ; after you have given me this pledge of your trust in 
me, then shall j'ou each receive his orders to prepare for the 
coronation.' 

The young Jackal, who was quick to question the plan of 
the Fox, was now ready to lick his feet. Every Jackal licked the 
feet of the Fox, and when all had performed this ceremony, his 
feet were very odorous so that his trail would be scented above; 
every other trail, but in this the Fox prided himself because he 
thought his feet were so perfumed that all the Jackals of the 
Wilderness must love to follow his trial. 

Now the Fox proudly commanded the Jackals : "Let every 
Jackal go on the hunt and take heed lest the Lion robs you of 
your prey. Kill as many deer as you can run down; see that 



29 



30 



WHEN THE WORLD WAS WILD. 

you safely bury the carcass, against the coronation feast ; but 
first tear open the belly of every prey you slay, and bring the 
Guts and drop them into the Pit ; however, see to it that no fat 
remains on the Guts, then shall the Flies gather at the Pit; and 
WHERE THERE ARE FLIES ALIVE THERE THE SPI- 
DERS THRIVE. 

When the Spiders have done their task the Wind will do the 
rest. 

"When the Wind will have covered the Web with dead 
leaves, then shall it be to you all a signal to gather together, 
bringing with you a choice slain Fawn, which shall be laid at 
the side of the Pit farthest from the Mountain; then a group 
of Jackals shall gather at the foot of the Mountain and set up a 
loud howl to attract the Lion. Another pack of Jackals shall 
gather at the furthermost side of the Pit, where they shall lie 
down in silence until the Lion has come to the place at the foot 
of the Mountain whither the first group will have lured him, 
then, while they m.ake their escape you at the side of the Pit 
farthest from the foot of the Mountain must make it appear 
to be quarreling over the Fawn to attract the Lion to make 
straight for the Fawn. When the Pit is between the Lion and 
the Fawn, all the Jackals must flee to decoy the Lion, and not 
until the Lion is fallen must you return. 

"When the Lion is fallen then let your howl proclaim the 
kingdom, and we shall celebrate, feasting on our prey, until the 
Lion will be starved. Thenceforth shall every living Lion be- 
come your servant, and you shall fatten in your dens while the 
princes of the vanquished Lion chase your prey into your very 
mouths." Then all the Jackals set up a great howl : "forever 
live your cunningness, oh Fox." 

Now every Jackal went preying to make the preparation 
for the great coronation. When the Jackals had brought the 
Guts of their prey and dropped it into the Pit and filled the 
place with the stench of its decay, great swarms of Flies came 
thither and entered the Pit, and circled at the opening like 
clouds, so that all the Spiders from a great distance gathered 
there and spun such a Web over the opening of the Pit that it 
was soon covered, and the Wind blew such an abundance of the 
dead Leaves upon the Web that the Pit was completely hidden ; 
this was the signal for the gathering together of the Jackals — • 
a group at the base of the Mountain and a group beyond the Pit. 
When the Lion heard that the Jackals were howlng, he 
awoke from a nap and said to Himself : "Now are the Jackals 
chasing the Deer ; I must chase the Jackals or they will exter- 
minate the Deer of the Mountain." Then the Lion went to chase 
the Jackals. When the Lion had come near to where the first 
group had set up their howl, they were all silent of a sudden, 
slinking away into hiding places ; but he heard another group 
howling and growling, making such noises as he often had 



WHEN THE WORLD WAS WILD. 31 

heard before and which he knew was a quarrel among the Jack- 
als to divide their prey; he suddenly bounded in that direction, 
and soon could smell the stench of the Pit,but that did not dis- 
tract him, for he saw, by the light of the Moon, the slain Fawn, 
and presumed that while so many were quarreling over what 
were only a fair meal for himself, he might as well settle the dis- 
pute by relieving them of their disputed effects. 

As soon as the Jackals saw the approach of the Lion, they 
fled, leaving their prey between themselves and the covered Pit. 
Two more bounds, thought the Lion and I shall dine upon the 
Jackal's quarry, but he took his last bound, so the Jackals 
thought, and they now returned and set up the most piercing- 
howl that ever echoed in the Wilderness. 

Now the sly, malicious Fox came from his hiding place, from 
whence he had watched the working out of his plot, which had 
all worked to his utter satisfaction. There was great rejoicing 
among the Jackals, and their number was so great that they felt 
no other beast dare interfere except the Fox, who was now to be 
crowned king of beasts. 

Great was the exulting of the Jackals, and each one wanted a 
good chance to mock at the Lion in his utter humiliation. So 
great was the enthusiasm among the Jackals that the Fox could 
no longer control them, nor command them, for the noise of 
their howling could not be penetrated by the yelping Fo.x 

So pressing was the pack of Jackals, each one wanted to get 
near enough to the opening through which the Lion had fallen, 
so that he could grimmacingly mock the pitted Lion to the face. 
The Fox wanted to get them into a procession so that they 
could all march around the Pit and vent their exultation in the 
most humilitating manner, and mock the Lion in the most con- 
ventional order, but this could not be done. There was confus- 
ion and riot among the Jackals — chaos reigned — and in their 
eagerness each to mock the Lion most, some of their number 
were pushed into the Pit, only to be slain and have their bones 
broken by the raging Lion. Those in danger of the Pit would 
fainly have saved themselves if they could, but the howl of peril 
could not be distinguished any more from the howl of exulta- 
tion, so that the fiercer the imperiled ones howled the more they 
were imperiled by the attempt of every other Jackal to get at the 
brink of the Pit at the same time. 

Now as the Fox despaired of his efforts to control the 
Jackals, great fear came upon him that the Jackals might claim 
too much credit for themselves, and fail to recognize his abso- 
lute sovereignity; therefore, he contrived to make a display of 
his popularity with the most monstrous of beasts. The Fox knew 
where an immense Mammoth had his haunt, which was near 
1)y ; so he went away to where he found the Mammoth, then he 
barked and l)arked at the Mammoth, bit at his big toes and made 
it so disagreeable for the annoyed Mammoth, that he gave chase. 



32 



WHEN THE WORLD WAS WILD. 

He lured the Mammoth toward the scene of the Jackals' carous- 
ing hoping to convince the Jackals that the Mammoth was doing 
him homage. No sooner had the Fox and Mammoth emerged 
from the forest at the foot of the Alountain, when the Mam- 
moth put up a thunderous trumpet ; then, while the Fox looked 
on, another grave misfortune threatened to begloam the begin- 
ning of his coronation. 

The moon became hidden behind a cloud of dust, yet there 
was no wind. The Fox saw, and realized that there must be a 
raging stampede by the largest herd of wild Horses that travers- 
ed the Plain. Their course lay along the Mountain and he knew 
that many of the, Jackals must get hurt, for nothing could 
change the course of the on-rushing stampede. 

The Fox saved himself by fleeing undetected over the Moun- 
tain ; but the Jackals were caught by the stampede and many 
perished under the hoofs of the Steeds, while many were thrown 
into the Pit, on whom the Lion vent his force. 

As the day dawned and the stampede passed by, leaving 
many bleeding and dying Jackals lietween the Pit and the Moun- 
tain, the Lion had slain so many Jackals that he had elevated 
himself on their corpses to such a height that he could leap 
ovl of the Pit; and with a triumphant roar, he crouched, made 
a leap, sprang among the midst of the whining Jackals, who see- 
ing their peril, every one thrust themselves on the mercy of the 
Lion, who, in lieu of their lives, made them pledge themselves 
to be his servants for all time. 

Unto this day the Jackals are the Lion's slaves, virtually 
chasing the Lion's prey into his very lair, without thanks or re- 
ward. The Fox, upon realizing his peril, had slunk away; and 
he, unto this day, is wading the streams to wash from his fateful 
feet, the scent by which he is trailed wherever he walks upon 
dry ground, while the Lion holds his own as Monarch of the 
Wild. 





Seorge J^ei/er 'DejConff. 



®lf^ Patl|00 oi ^nng 



nnb 



(§t\\tx ^mm% 



iw 



%tm^t ^dhx ^^^nng 




^ccaith lEbtttmt 



1913 



(COPYRIGHT, 1905—1913, 

BY 

GEORGE KELLER DeLONG.) 

(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) 



CONTENTS 



PRELUDE 


Page 


Pathos 


5 


THE PATHOS OF SONG 




The Pathos Of Song 


9 


Whence Know I Then the Beautiful 


10 


Tears and Laughter 


11 


Beauty 


11 


MEMOIRS OF CHILDHOOD 




Rambles 


13 


The Brook 


14 


Swinging on the Tree Top 


15 


RECITATIONS 




Regret 


16 


Have a Purpose 


16 


Vocation 


17 


The Ship Success 


18 



FOR YOUTH AND MAIDEN 

Passion's Dream 21 

Love's Dream 23 

Two Maidens 24 

Passions 24 



PRELUDE. 



PATHOS. 



Within me my heart was yearning; 

My bosom rose and fell; 
My soul felt as if imprisoned in gloom 

Within a moving cell. 

I sought to find sweeter rapture 

In realms yet unexplored : 
I longed to float forth on mystical wings 

To dreamlands I adored. 

The merriment of companions 
Was common, cheap and drear — 

It was not the sweet melodious chord 
In dreams I loved to hear. 

The solitude of the voodland, 

Where oft I wandered lone, 
Afforded to me the pleasures I craved : — 

Naught like my phantoms shone. 

Then thither I wandered lonely: 

My soul yearned to be free 
To float with the phantoms moving about, 

Forever with them flee. 

T gazed through my prison windows 

Survej-ed the azure sky : 
I suddenly heard a musical strain 

As if it were quite nigh. 

I gazed all around in wonder 

And lo ! a Fairy Queen 
Was heralded by her angel of song: — 

An awe inspiring scene. 

I trembled like leaflets flutter 

When shaken by the breeze; 
At once I lay prostrate stricken with awe 

And fear on me did seize. 

Before I oft heard such music 

Yet knew not whence it came, 
But longed to have wings to bear me aloof 

To mingle with such fame. 



PRELUDE. 

But when I beheld this glory 

My pride at once did flee, 
For then my own insignificance dawned 

For the first time on me. 

Then parted the chorus singers ; 

Her throne drew very near, — • 
A sceptre of laurel over me swayed, 

A voice said : "do not fear." 

"I'm Queen of poetic pathos; 

My son be of good cheer :" 
Like mother of pearl is soothing to see 

So this was sweet to hear. 

I trembled with fear no longer, 

Raised my imploring eyes, 
Adoring this host thus come unto me^ 

A host from Paradise. 

I uttered an invocation 

To her with all my heart : — 
"Oh Queen of Poetic pathos of song. 

Of thine to me impart." 

"Mjf son I can only favor 

One who will worthy prove : 
If thou wouldst have grace of pathos of song, 

Thy fellow thou must love. 

"Go then and exert thee manly 

xAtnd mingle with the throng 
To sympathize with thy fellowmen, thus 

To help all good along. 

"For song that is full of pathos. 

Such as does hearts enflame. 
Must flow like the rivers flow to the sea — 

Return to whence it came. 

"The poet is but a channel 

Through which the pathos flows 
That falls like the rain from vapory clouds 

Which from the heart arose — • 

"Like rivulets ripple sweetly; 

Like brooklets murmur low ; 
At times like the rushing cataracts roar, 

Or like deep rivers flow." 



PATHOS. 

Again I made invocation 

To her serenity : — 
"Oh mother of pathos, grant unto me 

The grace of sympathj'." 

"Go forth to that vale of sorrow 

And to the field of strife 
Where battle 'gainst odds to climb the rough steep 

Those who succeed in life. 

"There sorrow with those who sorrow ; 

There strive with those who strive, 
For pathos is wrung from sympathy's chord — 

Naught else can it contrive." 

Then vanished at once the vision, 

And lo ! it dawned on me 
That 'twas but another one of my dreams 

Of my fond reverie. 
October 1904. 



THE PATHOS OF SONG. 



THE PATHOS OF SONG. 

Within a lowly flat a family 

Ekes out a life in dire humility. 

The father leaves for work at early morn, 

Nor does return till eve, all tired and worn. 

The mother who is cook and nurse and maid 
And washerwoman and a common aid. 
Gets up at five a breakfast to prepare, 
And thence to lose herself in toil and care. 

Her children she prepares to send to school, 
And this the while she sings, most as a rule; 
Again to hush the little babe she sings 
The while another pulls her apron strings. 

And while she sweeps the floor she beats the time 
To some sweet melody of soothing rhyme; 
If she does not in baby talk commune, 
She seeks a solace in a soothing tune. 

"She must be happy" — oft her neighbors said — 
"Or could she sing as if she knew no dread?" 
From morn till eve her voice with pathos rings 
As she performs her duties while she sings. 

What promise makes her e'er so jubilant 
While care and duties are e'er dominant? 
It seems she could all weariness ignore 
As though her labors had some wealth in store. 

Is she indeed so happy all day long 
That she must needs pour out her soul in song, 
Or is she stricken with forlorn and grief 
That she indeed must seek in song relief? 

Each careworn mother knows, and let her tell 
Of griefs forlorn which song alone can quell. 
Should this my song evoke a mother's heart— 
Its pathos would but sympathy impart. 

November 9, 1904. 



10 



THE PATHOS OF SONG. 

WHENCE KNOW I THEN THE BEAUTIFUL. 

Whence know I then the beautiful — 
The noble and the dutiful — 
Through all this life to nobly strive 
Lest evil should to me betide? 

Whence the conviction^, mc to guide, — 
Jii which to worthily confide 
In ev'ry need, at ev'ry time 
Fnnobling me, e'en in my prime? 

I know when I the noble do, — 

For then my conscience lauds me : "true,"' 

But if I do some evil deeds 

Then something tells me : "this misleads." 

Though: in the very light of day — 
However lonely I may stray : 
Though in the darkness of the night, — 
All evils must my conscience blight. 

Before mine eyes a vision glows. 
Which dark of night cannot dispose. 
How my dear mother gazes on 
My ev'ry deed which I have done. 

In her rebuking gaze I see 
That she is much displeased with me. 
I swerve to hide my face from hers 
While shame within my bosom stirs. 

This vision haunts me ever still 
With dread and horror me to fill, 
Until conviction humbles me 
Within my mothers sight to be. 

But when the beautiful I do. 
She blesses me my whole life through r 
Like angels' song in heavenly realms 
Fler lauding smile me overwhelms. 

(The original of this poem was written in Penna. German, later translated to> 
German and finally translated to English on September 8th, 1905.) 



TEARS AND LAUGHTER. ^^ 



TEARS AND LAUGHTER. 



Tears like a clear flowing fountain— 

The crj'stal drops of life — 
Bubble not like from the mountain 

But through the vale of strife. 

Laughter flows cheap from the Hillside; 

Let once the storm betide. 
Mingle its waters with filth-tide : — 

Who would in such confide? 

Deep in the vale by a river 

I know a fountain pure : 
Fain would I be such a giver — 

Its crystal drops endure. 

Freshets may rise and floods cover 

The fountain vale and all, 
Yet flow its crystal drops over — 

Naught else can it appall : 

Treasured by many who, fainting, 
Have found there grace to keep; 

Spurning the cheap and the tainting — 
The laughter all too cheap. 

March 23, 1905. 



cTg\:::?§j&. 



BEAUTY. 

Hail ! hail beauty, hail ! — 
Grace of the virtuous soul : 
May you never fail 
While the eternal years roll. 

Sweet is your perfume : 
Soothing as orchards in spring 
When they're all abloom : 
Let me your praises all sing. 

Bright is your display : 
Clear as the sun in its height; 
As its bright'ning ray 
You of the soul are the light. 



12 



THE PATHOS OF SONG. 

Ceaseless is your flow : 
Fountain whose water is life 
Unto them who go 
Into the world and its strife. 

Deep, like rivers flow : 
Gently but murmuring not; 
You are even so, 
Still you were never forgot. 

Like a Springtime breeze; 
Gentle and mellow and low, 
Coming o'er the seas 
Ever refreshing you blow. 

Smooth with tranquil calm; 
Quiet as lakes in the mount's ; 
Ne'-er a wave of harm 
Rose on your wide spreading haunts. 

Firm, e'en as a rock : 
Ever unshaken, unmoved ; — • 
Give me of your stock — 
Key, to be happy, behooved. 

Beauty, beauty fair, 
Enter within my own heart : 
Cherished love and care, 
Let me of you be a part. 



January 27, 1903. 
N. B. — 4s a song sing last stanza as Chorus. 



MEMOIRS OF CHILDHOOD. 



RAMBLES. 

How dear to us were childhood days 
While we partook in childish pla3's. 
Together we did scamper round 
And plucked the blossoms that we found. 

Our utmost skill we both did try 
To catch the flitting butterfly. 
Bald bumblebees that had no sting, 
We held within our hands to sing. 

Grass-hoppers we did make them chew 
And spiders make them spider too. 
We clung unto the grapevine swing, 
With childish glee did shout and sing. 

We waded in the shallow stream 
Whose murmur mingled with our scream. 
We watched the minnows darting fast, 
The tadpoles slowly paddling past. 

We built our playhouse in the wood 
vVith stones and sticks as best we could. 
Our carpets — finest ever seen — 
were softest moss of velvet green. 

The toadstools served us many ways 
For ornamental bright arrays. 
There never was a tint or hue 
That was not in our toadstools too : 

xA.nd there were Winter berries red 
Which graced the tables that we set; 
And berries of most any kind 
That in the wood we chanced to find. 

Round apples, sweet, and plums and pears 
And cherries were among our fares. 
All things upon our table found 
Most gracefully were passed around. 

But thus it never more can be 

To romp around in childish glee. 

To manliness we must conform 

If we would gain against the storm. 



14 MEMOIRS OF CHILDHOOD. 

While pushing 'gainst the storm of life 
We too were parted in our strife: 
Though none the other can forget— 
'Tis seldom since that we have met. 



THE BROOK. 

Behold the brook, the merry brook. 

So busy on the lay; 
It runs about in ev'ry nook 

Most happy all the day. 

It reaches up the mountain slope' 

To draw supplies from there; 
It e'er seems happy filled with hope 

That God will for it care. 

Though mountains quake and rocks do roll 
Swift down the mountain slope, 

It ever presses toward its goal 
Without deprived of hope. 

Though rocks will roll within its way 

And try to box it up, 
It ne'er will be compelled to stay 

Nor drink the captive's cup. 

Why can it then not be constrained 

The captive's cup to drink? — 
Because 'tis ever diligent 

And ever does not shrink. 

Instead of weeping when 'tis faced 

With stones to block its way 
It rises up until 'tis raised 

Then hurries on its sway. 

Just onward as before it drains 

x^nd sings its merry song, 
The hillside dov/n and through the plain 

Refreshing all along. 

Thus by the brook so bright and gay 

A lesson sweet is taught : — ■ 
To onward march without delay 

Ne'er to despair be brought. 



THE BROOK. 



It shows us how to faithful be 

And never to despair 
But trust that God our need does see 

And takes of us good care. 

As God does lead the brook along 

Supplied with water sweet 
So God leads on the faithful throng 

Provided with good speed. 

(189S) This was the very first poem that I attempted — I was 17 years of age, 
attending the Lyons Grammar School at the time, where it was presented 
as a Friday noon composition. 

SWINGING ON THE TREE TOP. 

Blow wind blow make me go 

Gently to and fro : 
Let me know, you are so 

Sweetly soft and low. 

While I swing I will sing 

Till the echoes ring 
Here I cling to this thing 

In a treetop swing. 

Oh how sweet this retreat — 

Lovely, yes indeed. 
Here I beat 'gainst the heat 

Like a bird so fleet. 

Light and free — don't you see? — 

And I sing with glee, 
For with me happily 

All things fun will be. 

When the days of our plays 

Will have run their race, 
May the chase leave a trace, 

On each smiling face. 

May the rays speak their praise 
Through each troubling craze" 

Childhood lays humor raise 
That relieves amaze. 

January 1903. 



EECITATIONS. 



REGRET. 



If a word too freely spoken 
Only fell on no one's ears — • 

Many ties were still unbroken, — - 
Shunned were many bitter tears. 

If a blow in wrath commanded 
Only missed its deadly aim — 

Conscience were then not tormented, — - 
Many cripples were not maim. 

If a deed done far too hasty 
Could just once more be undone — 

We would gladly live more tasty, 
And a better course we'd run. 

If our days of idle leisure 

Could be brought back once again — 
We would gladly store a treasure, — • 

Time would never pass in vain. 

If we could recall the slighted 

Opportunities passed by — 
All our errors would be righted, — 
We would find no time to sigh. 

October 13, 1902. 

HAVE A PURPOSE. 

As on life's tow-path you do tread. 
What is your point in view, — 

Your goal in view, that yOu don't dread 
To meet and greet it too. 

Your purpose what? — or do you think 

Of such there is no need. 
Or at the very thoughts do shrink 

And never take such heed? 

To face the future do you dare 
Not knowing where you go, — 

Without a purpose, or a care, 
Now living" on — 'just so'? 



HAVE A rURPOSK. 

Your e3'es do cast without delay 

Into the future far : 
"I do not care" — dare not to say 

But shape your purpose now. 

Are you in youth? — remember then 

That manhood you will see 
Ere it is likely that you can 

x\ll misconducting flee. 

Arouse ! Then let your soul arouse ! 

No longer now delay, 
But do some purpose now espouse, 

Or }'ou too long might stay. 

Do know that time awaits no man — 

That you must ne'er be late, 
Employ your time of leisure then 

To be just un to date. 

Just for a time around you gaze 

And view the busy fairs, 

And see if not now with amaze 

Some purpose greetings bears. 

If on you smiles some purpose then 

And promise to you bears. 
No more delay but like a man 

Approach your good welfares. 

Oh ! do apply your talents all 

To meet your greeting goal 
Be cautious then lest you should fall 

And miss your name on roll. 

(March 27, 1899; written as a finis to an oration delivered at the Long Swamp 
Commencement, May 19, 1899.) 

\^OCAT[OX. 

Be it in the field where the midday sun 

Licks the hot sweat that o'ef your brow does run; 

Be it in the stall where the bovine low 

Mingles with your song while the milkstr^ams flow ; 

Be it in the depth of the deep mine drift 

In the foul damp air through the too long shift; 

Be it in the shop midst the flying sparks 

In the earlv morn ere yet soar the larks; 



17 



18 



RECITATIONS. 

Be it shoveling coal on a flying train 

Midst the clouds of smoke which your face do stain; 
Be it speeding on while your hand controls 

The strong engine power that swift onward rolls; 

Be it with the sick — with the stricken one 
Where denyingly loving deeds are done; 

Be it pushing through darkness, shine or rain 
That you rr.ay relieve those who are in pain; 

Be it in the school teaching children so 

That through all their years they may wisdom know; 
Be it preaching truth — pulpit or from stage — 

That God's children may hear from age to age; 

Be it at the bar causes to espouse 

For rebuke of crime justice to arouse; 
Be it at the helm of the "Ship of State" 

Guiding safely on through its ev'ry fate ; 

Be it in strange home as a servant maid, 

Doing any work for a sal'ry paid; 
Be it keeping house for a husband dear 

While at the same time you your children rear; 

Your vocation be whatsoe'er it may 
Tact and talent will ever have their sway, — 

Virtues are alone — claims to dignity; 
Ev'ry other claim is all vanity. 



THE SHIP SUCCESS. 

Awake ! oh soul awake ! 

How long will 3'ou concede 
Through hibernating sleep? — 

Arouse yourself and shake 
The shackles from your feet 

That you ignored do keep. 

Arouse ! oh do arouse ! 

Do try to realize 
That now has come the time 

That you your cause espouse 
If you your welfare prize 

With heart and will sublime. 



THE SHIP S SUCCESS. 

Your future is so near; 

How sacred is your time, 
Once lost no more regained, 

And life is e'er so dear 
While yet in youthful prime 

While vigor is retained. 

Remember when you're old — 
Your chances of reform 

Are gone forever more : 

While youth is strong and bold 

You can yourself conform 
To noble stately lore. 

A stately style acquire, 

The family honor raise, 
So shape your ev'ry years 

That friends will you admire 
And raise their voice in praise 

With their regards sincere. 

Dare virtue to denounce 
With all its gracefulness 

And its polite pure way — 

And you're the worst of clowns : 

Your act is none the less 
Than criminal display. 

Why should you then insist 

To wallow in the mire 
Quite in the gutter's depth? 

Why then so lowly list? 
Do you not oft desire 

To upward stride your steps? 

Have you ambitions great. 
And put in luck your hope; 

Or stately things desire 
Expecting ne'er the fate 

E'er to possess the scope. 

Nor ought with force acquire? 

Your ship is anchorless : 

In high winds you are doomed ; 
You ne'er can sail through storm ; 

Nor will you e'er possess 
Success which you presumed 

Would to vour wish conform. 



19 



20 RECITATIONS. 

Ambition — with great stress — 
And perseverance's hope 
' Are anchors of the ship 
In virtue called Success 

Possessing ev'ry scope. 
From hull to topmast tip. 

The breeze which sweeps you on 
Is courage called by name; 

The sails which spread before 
Are virtues — ne'er to shun; 

The stately helm of fame 
Is wisdom evermore. 

Our institutions great 
Are guiding stars above ; 

Our ev'ry day a sea; 
Vocation ports of fate; 

Heroical true love 
Preserves us brave and free. 

Do seek what port you will ; 

What you would fain possess— 
For what your heart may crave — 

If you'd your course fulfill, 
Do man the ship Success 

And dare the surging wave. 

September 23, 1902. 



FOR YOUTH AND MAIDEN. 



PASSION'S DREAM. 

My wooing soul now bleeds for you; 

For you my heart is beating too : 
Hope I'm not too impertinent 

And that my dream you'll understand. 

As I upon my pillow laj' 

Last night and dreamt the night away; 
As visions rose and visions fell 

There rose one vision I must tell. 

Oblivion shades my former dreams 

While this last vision glows and gleams : 

My heart beats time to the refrain 
That cupid chants — chants he in vain? 

You stood beneath the apple tree 
As down the road you gazed to see 

The one for whom your heart did beat, 
Awaiting me with love to greet. 

The apple tree was all abloom; 

The air was filled with sweet perfume; ■ 
The western sky was all aglow ; 

The breeze lulled sweetly soft and low. 

As I along the roadway sped 

With beating heart and anxious tread — 
As to your homestead I drew nigh 

I strained my eyes for you to spy. 

My utmost wish was gratified 

When suddenly my eyes you spied : 

My heart beat fast — my nerve was thrilled, 
My longing soul with hope was filled. 

With quickened step I hurried on — 
I felt as though I needs must run, 

As I drew near, your gleaming eyes 
Betrayed your soul's sweet paradise. 

When I embraced you with a kiss 

Your face gleamed with angelic bliss — 

And when I whispered words of love 
Then Cupid chanted from above : 



22 



FOR YOUTH AND MAIDEN, 

"To you and only 3^011 I'll give 
My heart as long as e'er I live — 

My love is yours and yours alone 
While both we live or one is gone." 

I pressed j'our bosom to my own; 
Your soft brown eyes with beaming shown 
When there I vowed yours to remain — 
To happiness you did attain. 

I felt your happy beating heart, — ■ 
From which I never more can part, — 
As there against my own it beat, 
Which us to happiness did lead. 

My heart, it beat an extra stroke 
At which I from this dream awoke 

To find myself in bed bereaved 

Of all my joy which me much grieved. 

I sat up in my bed to hark 

And looked around, but all was dark: 
I felt as though I must be dazed — 

In my bereavement I was crazed. 

All sleep was gone so I arose — 
For rest I could no more repose^ 

I dressed and paced the bedroom floor 
And wished that I had dreamt some more. 

I hardly could be reconciled — • 

I thought it must needs drive me wild. 
Because with heart and soul I long 

To tell you how my love is strong 

You are the only one below 

On whom my love I can bestow, 

And so when we again do meet 
I hope you likewise me can greet. 

Don't think me cowardly, my dear. 

Nor that to speak these words I fear : 

I can't afford to wait till then 

When we perchance would meet again. 

From you I cannot keep a dream 
That so forboding'all does seem, 

And hope that you with me can share 
The happiness that is so rare. 



PASSION S DREAM. ^^ 



You'll make we wretched if you choose- 
If you can e'er my love refuse : 

You'll make me happy while I live 
If you can now my love receive. 



'Twas thus a youth wrote to his love 
As he with youthful passions strove, 

And thus upon his love prevailed 
But later wished that he had failed. 

Angelic smile and formal kiss 

Were all that made him dream of bliss : 
With painful grief he realized 

That he had erred when he life sized. 

Had he but gazed beyond those eyes 

Into the soul where virtue lies ; 
Had he but sought her virtues out 

Instead of formal habits proud; 

Had he but found her in the dough 
It would have made saliva flow — 

His lips were then more moist to kiss 
His love with genuine sweet bliss. 

A craving stomach moves the heart 
With passion that ills will impart : 

Eyes, cheeks and lips will loose their charm 
When virtue fails the soul to calm. 



LOVE'S DREAM. 

Visions of happiness— portraits of love; 
Longings and yearnings to have one's own home. 
Which to deserve one must daringly strove 
Lest one's vain folly the future should gloam. 

Walls of the grace of care built quite replete; 
Roofed with subservency running no leak : 
Neath such a shelter 'gainst loss and defeat 
There should the love light's glow never be weak. 



24 



FOR YOUTH AND MAIDEN. 

Aired with devotional fervency's zeal ; 
Warmed with benevolent sympathy's grace, 
Yielding the grace of the heart's fond appeal; 
Furnished with refuge all woes to efface. 

Blest is the heart that enraptured can feel, 
Daring to do ought that sorrows allay : 
Passions well bitted and harnessed, reveal 
Speed which must win in the chariot race. 

January g , 1904. 



TWO MAIDENS. 

Once two fair maidens both walked in small shoes, 
Petticoats, skirts and bright waistcoats in hues : 
Then came a knight wearing chivalrous airs 
Striving with care to avoid catchy snares. 

Fair were these maidens to look on forsooth, 
Stirring the chivalrous blood of this youth : 
Both of these maidens his coui'tship he paid. 
Yet but at one's feet his trophies he laid. 

One was angelic — for him had a smile — ■ 
Out of his sight she was grave all the while : 
One was so fickle and prone to deceive- 
Out of his sight she would laugh in her sleeve. 

One of them married — a cottage their home : 
One an old maid quite forsaken does roam. 
This little ballad, fair maden, peruse 
Guessing the maiden the brave knight did choose. 

February 13, 1905. 



PASSIONS. 

Once three fair youths took to journey to find 
Grace that would make three fair maidens to mind : 
Fair were these maidens with graces serene ; 
Worshipped was each by one youth as his queen. 

Strode they together the wilderness through; 
Soon found a plain that was fertile and blue : 
Filled with emotion because they had found 
Homes which of needs full of grace must abound. 



PASSIONS. 25 

Each tool; a portion — a third as his share — 
Striving henceforth their own homes to prepare: 
Proudly they planned how they soon hoped to fare, 
Ah! but three troops of wild horses roamed there. 

Two flowing rivers divided the plain : 
One — Disposition ; one — Circumstance — twain 
Bordered the land which the fool occupied, 
While Disposition the simple defied. 

One was so simple — the steeds killed outright, 
Dug with a spade and rejoiced in his plight : 
Came his fair maiden, with silent content 
Both of them lived what of life they could spend. 

One was a fool and the horses gave chase — 
Shooing them off ; they came back in each case : 
Came his fair maiden to starve in her place, 
Pining while he was away on the chase. 

One was discreet, and a lasso he made, — 
Lassoed the steeds and their spoiling hence stayed : 
Bitted and harnessed they worked in the plow — 
Happy and wealthy this wise man was now. 

Came his fair maiden, with him hence to bide — 
Happy was she in his carriage to ride. 
This little legend of steeds, my young friends, 
Read, and remember — with passions it blends. 

March i6, 1905. 



im 8 1913 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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